commander

noun

com·​mand·​er kə-ˈman-dər How to pronounce commander (audio)
Synonyms of commandernext
1
: one in an official position of command or control: such as
b
: the presiding officer of a society or organization
2
: a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a lieutenant commander and below a captain
commandership noun

Examples of commander in a Sentence

a surrender of the fort by the commander without a single shot having been fired the intrepid commander of the HMS Surprise
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some identifying details about the facility are being withheld at the request of Kurdish military commanders. Younes Mohammad, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026 Original crew members, NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, who was originally slated to be commander but would have been making her first spaceflight, and Stephanie Wilson, a veteran of three space shuttle flights, were pulled from the mission. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026 As of Monday, Israel estimated that allied forces had killed nearly 2,000 Iranian soldiers and commanders. Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026 Philippe Allain, a regional police commander, told reporters that investigators have received information the man had psychological problems. Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for commander

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of commander was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Commander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commander. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

commander

noun
com·​mand·​er kə-ˈman-dər How to pronounce commander (audio)
1
: one in official command especially of a military force or base
2
: a naval commissioned officer with a rank just below that of captain
commandership noun

More from Merriam-Webster on commander

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster